Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Langhans

Main Goals,
Keywords

Physiology and pathophysiology of the neuroendocrine control of eating
and energy balance, obesity and type-2-diabetes; metabolism; vagal afferent
signalling, paracrine and endocrine functions of gastrointestinal peptides

Group Members

Research

Obesity has replaced under-nutrition and infectious diseases as the leading
global health problem. Together with its comorbidities, obesity is a major
cause of health costs in developed countries. The tremendous increase in the prevalence of obesity over the last 30
years is thought to be related to a combination of genetic susceptibility,
decreased physical activity, and numerous other life style factors including
the continuous abundance of attractive high energy and highly palatable food
choices that favour overeating. In fact,
evidence accumulates indicating that overeating rather than a decrease in
average physical activity is the major reason for the current obesity endemic. Our research aims at characterizing neuroendocrine
and metabolic mechanisms that control eating and energy balance and their
disturbances. Major topics are:

The control
of eating by peripheral metabolism, in particular by fatty acid oxidation; in
this context we primarily investigate how and where peripheral metabolic
signals that control eating are generated and how they are relayed to the brain
via afferent nerves.

The role of gut peptides in the control of eating and
metabolism; here we also focus on identifying the peripheral-to-central routes
of communication and the central nervous system signalling pathways of the
eating-inhibitory and metabolic effects of gut peptides.

The role of pro-inflammatory mediators in disturbances
of eating and energy balance; in this context we investigate the interactions
of pro-inflammatory cytokines with putative endocrine and neurochemical signals
of energy balance regulation in the brain.

We use rats, mice, and cell culture systems in a
translational, integrative and systemic approach that employs transgenic
techniques, molecular biology, immunohistochemistry and electrophysiology. Because eating behaviour is one important
endpoint of our research, we also use elaborated in vivo physiological and behavioural
techniques. This includes sophisticated experimental surgical methods that
allow for the routine use of in vivo techniques that are rarely found elsewhere. The ultimate aim is to help identify
potential targets for the treatment of obesity and its comorbidities in humans.

Future Projects

We will continue the efforts towards improving our understanding of the
neuroendocrine control of eating, to eventually employ this knowledge to
counteract overeating and obesity. The undesirable side effects and limited
effectiveness of the few currently available pharmacological treatment options
for obesity and several recent developments in the basic physiology of the
gastrointestinal tract have revitalized obesity-related research in this area. We
will therefore focus on gut mechanisms and gut brain interactions in this
context.

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